ChenowethArts

May went quickly due to copious amounts of spam, two tornadoes, plus the earthquake inside your kiln!

Probably for you, went away with grades, graduation and prepping studio for Summer classes!

Alabama, Pres...you guys are probably right on all points. This was a crazy month!

I have used clay bags in my scrap bucket. While throwing any scrap goes in, while trimming, while cleaning. When bag is full, it gets twisted shut and turned upside down under wedging table. After a few weeks, taken out judged and wedged with clay that will balance out dryness/wetness.

Yeah! That's what I do, too. Used clay bags are so useful. :3

I use the slop bucket contents as a starter for mixing dry materials and/or when the mix in the pugger is a little too dry. I still do some re-constituting on the wedging table.

I've been working on this glaze load for weeks ... they're definitely not here! I'd rather do anything else despite how badly I want to see everything finished.

I need trimming elves... >.>

I'd rather be a trimming Elf any day!

I'm off to do the same thing after breakfast. It wasn't the clay,bthough. I woke when my son informed me of a mysterious puddle in the living room. (Fortunately just water)

I wish I could trim, dangit. Still in denial about my bone-dry predicament. *facepaw*

Paul, I did exactly the same thing last week at 4 a.m!!

I use the same reasoning in the summer. In the winter I fire when it gets a little warmer.

I mixed some dark red clay slip last night. Got it just right ... then proceeded to spill half the container all over my work table, chair, and floor. I wiped and cleaned and there is still a crime scene in my studio. >.< Guinea: Can you mix it in the driveway?

I've used slip before but now heavily rely on black iron oxide stain. The iron oxide is used to bring out detail and imperfections.

I was using red oxide but it's so messy if you don't want it on the whole item ...

Come over here when you're done! I was gonna do clay stuff today, but it's pouring out--humidity is NOT my friend. Hnngh! I wanna throw!

Bit the bullet Monday and did mine. Two full pillow cases. At last it's done

Ha. This hits home for me. I have most of a five gallon bucket from wheel throwing scraps. I've never recycled clay before but I'm thinking I'm going to do it this week before it gets any worse.

It can get hot and sticky under those maskes, but they are essential!

I always forget I'm wearing the mask and try to blow off some dust.

Try eating a strongly flavoured boiled sweet inside a mask. Intense :-)

Healing thoughts for your good health.

Must be a late case of March Madness

That's a good one, Mark C....but I think I am a 'carrier' for March Madness *grin*. Thanks all for the well wishes!

Preston can speak with experience in dealing with frozen/thawed clay. I still wedge my clay (perhaps less if pugged & de-aired)even if it has aged.

Frozen clay is easy to start with wedging if you cut 2" off of each side of block and reverse to the inside, then let sit for a few more days.

I think a year should greatly improve both.

You should always pack heat when throwing, because when seconds count, police are minutes away. Sometimes you need that extra special tool just to put that unruly coffee cup or bowl out of its misery. A 22 cal. works up to 3 lbs. clay. A 38 cal. works up to 8 lbs of clay, and a 9 mm works for clay vessels over 8 lbs. of clay. My neighbors can tell the difference between a bad coffee

cup or stein! My dogs no longer flinch!

Greenware wasn't dry? I've never had an explosion ... what caused it?

To all: It was wet greenware that exploded...kiln is fine (now that it has been emptied and thoroughly vacuumed)...still laughing at Alabama's "calibrated" recommendations I can only image how police would respond to the mention of "kiln"...'never really thought about it until now...there HAS to be a good joke there somewhere. -Paul

Had and MP, and an HP at the HS for years. Loved them. Especially the HP still there when I left.

But just think how much fun you're going to have getting to know a NEW wheel!

Can you come help a crippled not-so-old guinea move her studio afterwards? Hnnngghhhh! :'(

Oh Guinea, if I was close enough, I'd be happy to give you a hand. Good luck on the change of scenes!

Oh? They lost? Good; maybe now my local news will start reporting about more important things now. #notasportsfan

Guinea...you need to stop holding back. Tell us how you really feel

Looking forward to an all B1G final. Go Badgers.

Clay Times did this a while back . . . http://www.claytimes.com/cruise.html

Like everyone else, I am tired of being COLD!

Amen to that Pres! Hey you could teach on a cruise ship off shore of Barbados right?

Which games did you get to?...such great fun

I watched the Michigan State vs. Georgia game and the Virginia vs. Belmont game. The VU-BU game was more exciting, even if my Belmont Bruins didn't win. And yes, it was fun!

Good times!

Well, my team made it; we'll see about yours. Go Badgers.

Darn it, Terps. Well now I'm mad at the Spartans and hope the Badgers crush them.

I watched Kentucky play today from a front row seat...I have seen lesser NBA teams. Just sayin'.

I got a gift like that years ago. I came home and there was 10 5gal buckets of dried clay in my driveway. No idea what temp of clay it was. We lived near a dry creek so we dumped them there.

Marcia, That is the direction I am taking now: Doing one 5 Gal. bucket of ping-pong ball sized chunks at a time, placing those in a heavy plastic bag with minimal water, then partially submerging the bag into a trash can container filled with water. I want to see how this goes. Many thanks for the input!!

if you can, chop it up with a sledge hammer and presoak it. Add paper pulp it you like of just resoak and dry to a good throwing consistency. Don't over wet it so it separates. stir with s drill attachment regularly.Then, dry.I recycle it regularly. If you use a jiffy mixer or a heavy drill mixed, the lump dissolve easily.

We had two days in a row where it lived in the sky, then yesterday was just grey, grey, grey. Today it's back - but still chilly in the shade, 8C at 9am.

When I was in Ireland during the winter and spring, the glowing orb was kind of like a fairytale. Rain, rain, rain. I'm guessing that England isn't much different this time of year!

This was around eight years ago, btw.

Ahhh, going for the snow effect... cool

At least you ain't gotta brush that stuff! I'm stuck with that, haha! Sooooo tedious...

That is a strong temptation!

All is well. Kiln opened when temp reached 100F.

Yes, but it's a fun challenge right?

You're singing my song!

Guinea, I would love to watch you work. Your comfort level with underglaze is inspiring!

We have the same weather. I could heat up my shop, I wouldn't work much today I have a bad cold. So I'll just save on my electric bill.

It's in the 50s and sunny today. I'd be a very happy rodent if it was like this 365 days a year, hehe!

*begin whine* Belmont University is closed for a second day in a row...there have been only 3 (maybe 4) closures in the last 15 years before these two days. It is truly N.A.S.T.Y. to get around walking or driving.*end whine*